Gerrard back in contention for City v Leicester

30 March 2010 05:55

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Anthony Gerrard should be fut enough to challenge for a place in the starting line up against Leicester tonight. But first Dave Jones would have to consider removing Darcy Blake after his recent Man of the Match performances.Blake has slotted into the defence and while having a proper defensive duo like Gerrard and Gyepes in place, Blake deserves to play. Maybe he could join Steve McPhail in midfield.Mark Kennedy could be set to start ahead of Tony Capaldi at left back. Kennedy replaced Capaldi during the game at Crystal Palace on the weekend.Kevin McNaughton (thigh) has again been ruled out while Jay Bothroyd completes his two-match ban.Kelvin Etuhu will be hoping to retain his place in the starting XI after recovering from an ankle problem in time to make his first appearance since December in that clash but Jones also has Ross McCormack at his disposal to give him a welcome selection headache.Captain Mark Hudson (ankle) and Joe Ledley (hips) are set to return in mid-April.Leicester have doubts over Ryan McGivern and James Vaughan as they look to get their Championship play-off challenge back on track.Both players were absent on Saturday as the Foxes fell a place to sixth in the table with a second successive league defeat at Derby.With 40-year-old full-back Chris Powell facing the prospect of playing two games in the space of four days, it is hoped McGivern will be fit enough to be included in the squad. However, on-loan striker Vaughan (hamstring) is likely to remain out.Midfielder Nolberto Solano and forward Paul Gallacher were rested against the Rams and are pushing for recalls, while Jay Spearing will hope to make his first start since arriving on loan from Liverpool.